The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-16
THE PekiNo CATHEDRAL.
Removal Of a Catholic Edince Bull
in 1909.

Removal Of a Catholic Edince Built
in 1909.
The last mail from China says The
San Francisco Chronicle, brought news
regarding the contemplated removal Of
the an cient Catholic cathedral at Pc
king and the bestowal of high rank up
on the bishop and able of tho diocese
Since 1902 this edifice has stood within
the imperial city of China, and its lofty
bell-tower, overlooking the imperial
palace grounds, has been regarded as
an obstacle to the good influences OF
the spirits that haunt the Chinese inn
aginations. Years passed. but all ef-
forts to remove the building were fruit
less until during the last year. the arts
of diplomacy prevailed and tho old ca
thcdral is to be deserted. Its past his
tory is full of interest, and. through
the kindness of Rev. Father Barchi, OF
St. Ignatius college, Chronicle report
err obtained access to rare volumes in
the library which give history OF the
cathedral from its inception.
In 1892 Father Gerbillion, n native Of
Belgium, who by means of his mathe-
NAUTICAL atlainmcnts had become SO
necessary to the service OF the Chinese
emperor, Kang Hi, that he had become
necessary to the council, ATTAINED
decree authorizing freedom of Christian
worship throughout the country. In
1902 Kang Iii was afflicted with fever,
and the native doctors were unable to
cure him. Father Gerbllon had a
small quantity of quinine which the
Jesuit fathers had obtained in Peru,
and by the aid of the drug cured the
imperial patient AS reward for this
action Kang Hi permitted the erection
of cathedral in a corner OF the palace
| grounds.
The mandarans. then as now, were
bitterly opposed to the erection of the.
bu lding, alleging the evil Influences
which would ensue if the construction
was proceeded with. In reply to their
objections the emperor told them:
"These strangers have rendered me in
finite services. they refuse money, hon
ors. and Office; they take delight in
their relig on, and in granting them
permission TO build house for worship
| can only give them qualification. "
Kang Iii also gave the fathres gold val
ued at 100000 francs VIII oh they in
vested in the stock of the British and
East land company, and until the dis
solution OF that corporation, in 1891,
the interes on this sum was paid 10 the
Propa anda of Rome for tho mainten-
ance of missions in China and the east
AS further mark of honor the empe
ror wrote two or three inscriptions,
which were carved on stone and placed
4 in prominent positions in tho church.
One. placed upon column, read as
follows: $40 the creator Of every
thing" The others inscribed on tab
lets, were: ''lIe is infinitely good and
inst; He cnlightens, uphods, and rules
every thing with supreme author ty and
with sovereign Justice" ale had no
beginning and will have no end; He has
made all things from the earliest time.
He is the true Governor and the true
Lord of them. "
These inscriptions will doubtless be
removed to the cathedral. their value
being inestimablc. not only in the eyes
of the fathers, but also in the estimation
of the Chinese.
The building itself was about 125 feet
long and some 30 feet VIDE. Bricks
and plaster were used in its cOnstruc-
ton. For nearly two centuries the ca
thedral has stood undisturbed. Build
ings have been added in the shape OF a
hospital and dispcnsary, u museum Of
science, and a room where splendid
COLLECTION of the fora and fauna of
North China, made by Pere David, is
arranged.
Attempts by the Chinese to remove
the cathedral have been Intellectual, al
though every emperor and empress
since Kang HIS time have used their
cndeavors by threats and persuasion.
In 1856 the empress dowager. who has
made the removal of this bu ldlng an
object. sought the aid of foreigners in
the employ OF Chinese customs. and by
dint of n mission TO the pope. aided by
the influence of the French minister,
under whose government the fathers
have enjoyed protection for many
wears, accomplished her desires. The
fathers have rece we'd a piece OF land
on the northwest corner Of the impe-
rial palace grounds, wherein they will
build a new cathedral. Bishop Tagli-
abue was decorated with the insignia
of mandarin of the first class. second
grade, and Able Favler received blue
button. emitting him to the rank of an
official of the first class. second grade.
In ad lition TO the land. $50 700 teals
equal to sSOO,OO0) is TO be paid as
| H. coet og aractinv n npyv pathelrai